No matter where you are or what you’re going through, somebody somewhere is going through it, too. Honesty is your calling card on the bulletin board in the lobby of life. Honesty is where you meet people, form alliances, and decide to travel together until the next phase.

The thing that breaks up unity is dishonesty. Dishonesty isolates people because only one person can fit behind one mask at a time. Even people with masks try to find connection. Sometimes they forget they’re wearing a mask until they need something real. Then they’re afraid to take it off because they’ll lose their ‘friends’. They feel trapped by the fact that they’ll have to suffer loss to gain what they’re really after.

Have you ever reached that place where hope hurts because you’ve been let down too many times? We don’t need help being realistic. The pressure is on, the stress is real, and the ache for a breakthrough steals the trinket happiness that has been getting you by.

God knows how to find you and He knows when to speak.

Your purpose in this life is to be ‘one’ with the Father. It’s the way the world knows that He sent Jesus. Your purpose is to be ‘one’ with each other. It’s the way the whole world knows that He loves them (John 17:20-23). Everything you go through, every prayer you pray…it’s for the purpose of bringing further in to Him and to each other. Your relationship with Him is the kind of ‘want’ that wants more. You go after Him and He goes after you. It’s the constant tug of trying to get to each other. It’s passionate.

Any action you take should be in response to that Love. Too many of the actions we take are to get that Love.

He’s jealous (Exodus 20:5). He doesn’t want you spending too much time working, even if you’re working for Him. He gets jealous if you give more of your time to something or someone else than you do to Him. He knows you’ve forgotten your True Love when you think you have to earn it.

So, He lets pressure get thick and the hope hurt so that you stop trying and let Him find you. Like a child lost in the store, you’re looking in all the wrong places. You’re His child. Call out to Him if you can’t see Him. Let Him be the adult. His ears are trained on you.

The child calls out and the Father answers, “I’m right here.”

Relief. “I thought you left me.”

“I would never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).”

God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn’t ask, “Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?” No, He allows these things for His own purpose. -Oswald Chambers

God is not cruel. He doesn’t let you hurt just to see how much you can take. It’s that belief that is keeping you from knowing His love. You don’t just believe He loves you. You know it.

We are one. Life is lonely when you forget that.

Something you have to remember is that your life isn’t your own. You can’t hold on to your plans so tightly. I know it’s hard because we’re dreamers. Just line your dreams up with His. It goes beyond you. His dreams are for the whole world and what you’re going through is necessary for that. The pressure and stress is to reveal your insufficiency so you’re forced to come out from behind your mask.

44085 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.graceisforsinners.com%2Ftaking-off-the-mask%2Ftaking+off+the+mask2012-05-23+14%3A30%3A33Serena+Woodshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.graceisforsinners.com%2F%3Fp%3D4408 on “taking off the mask”

1x.x.x.x. said at 3:16 pm on May 23rd, 2012:

I needed this. I have a child that estranged himself from me 5 years ago. I haven't felt very lovable lately. I think I just need to do more listening and less time hurting. Not easy to do. Thank you for this today. Blessings. Jenni

I have been raised in church all my life and I really think I hide behind the the mask of tradition. I really think I need a personal encounter with Christ! I've prayed and prayed and prayed! I belonged to one church for 23 years! Been hurt and felt so used.Jion a new church which is in infancy stage because I thought that is where I should be but I dont feel at home there. I try to listen to tv ministries but coming from seeing so much church for money I dont know who is real any more. It makes me question the very God of my salvation.What's real what's not Please God show me who is who from behind thier mask! I need to believe with my whole heart! Please God help me I want to be real!